New books help young readers through different school situations

Jul. 5, 2013

In this, the fifth book of the “Miss Fox’s Class” series, officer Blue Fox speaks to the class about safety. But when Bear observes Blue Fox escorting Miss Fox into the police station on Saturday, the students begin making assumptions. The rumors start to fly. Miss Fox’s class believes she is in trouble with the law and planning an escape to Hawaii. Adults will pick up on the not-so-subtle plot twists by Page 5 and realize what is really going on — Miss Fox and officer Blue Fox are getting married. This successful series does a good job of engaging young readers and classrooms with illustrations and humor. Young readers will giggle at the wild suspicions.

What’s good: A good conversation starter for young children about rumors.

What’s bad: The text is a little long.

■“Katie Woo Rules the School”

By Fran Manushkin

Best for: Girls, ages 5 – 8

This is one of many “Katie Woo” books on shelves, and they’re all good for young girls moving on from picture books. In this installment, we follow Katie Woo through four different tales: Katie and the Class Pet, No More Teasing, The Big Lie and Star of the Show. Each tale is short and sweet and contains a good lesson for everyone.

Katie learns about responsibility with pets, bullies, lying and stealing, and helping friends. There are a lot of problem-solution books out there for young readers, but this one is very relatable. Katie is a normal, average girl with authentic emotions and reactions. The problems she faces are the same your child might face. If this isn’t what you’re looking for, there are always the Berenstain Bears books.

What’s good: Katie is easy to relate to for young girls.

What’s bad: One of many problem-solution books on the market.

■“Vampire School: Stage Fright”

By Peter Bently

Illustrated by Chris Harrison

(Page 2 of 2)

Best for: Boys, ages 6 – 8

Boys who are new to chapter books have something besides “Captain Underpants” to read. This, the third book in the “Vampire School” series, finds St. Orlock’s Elementary School getting ready to perform “Snow Fright and the Seven Dwarfs.” The only problem is that Bella, the lead in the play, loses her voice before opening night. Lee, Billy and Bella hatch a plan that just might work — lip-synching. It works so well, they get asked to be in a real play.

This is a fun book for beginning readers. The lessons don’t hit you over the head, but they are there. The “Vampire School” books highlight problems that every kid, vampire or not, face. That’s why your beginning reader will like them.

What’s good: Lots of humor and very likable characters.

What’s bad: The plot is thin and doesn’t give young chapter book readers much challenge.

And two for older readers…

■“The Nine Pound Hammer”

By John Claude Bemis

Best for: Boys, ages 9 – 12

What would you say if all the tall tales you’ve ever heard were actually true? Now imagine John Henry wasn’t just a large man with a big hammer. And Johnny Appleseed wasn’t just a man who planted apple orchards across America. They were magical heroes fighting evil. When you step into the world of “The Nine Pound Hammer” — Book 1 in “The Clockwork Dark” series, you are taken back to the 19th century when steam locomotives were king and medicine shows traveled the country. It mixes magic, history and folklore together for an adventure that pulls readers in and doesn’t let them go. It’s an American Harry Potter — a battle of good versus evil — and you’ll want to read all three books in the series.

What’s good: Magic, mystery and action mixed in an original approach to a tale about the battle of good versus evil.

What’s bad: Many references to John Henry and other folk tales without ever explaining those tales to the reader.

■“Perception: A Clarity Novel”

By Kim Harrington

Best for: Girls, ages 14 – 17

Take the teen mystery novel, throw in psychic powers and a love triangle, and you’ll have a Clarity Novel. In Perception, everyone in school knows about Clare Fern and her abilities. Some think it’s cool. Others just thing she is a freak. She just thinks she has to do something good with her powers. So wrapped into and around the teen relationship dramas that follow Clare wherever she goes there’s an intriguing missing-girl mystery to be solved. The characters are well developed and soon you’ll be taking sides. Are you on team Gabriel or team Justin?